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A blog for advertising creatives in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. To pass on news or advertise on the blog, or to subscribe to Campaign Brief Australia/NZ or CB Asia, or The Work 06 Annual, email: michael@campaignbrief.com

Saturday, December 24, 2005

BADGER AND BEAMISH TO PATTS Y&R MELBOURNE

Awarded creative team Hilary Badger and Rob Beamish are about to depart Grey Worldwide Melbourne to George Patterson Y&R Melbourne -- the first of a new breed of creative people and direction for the "Big Ad" agency, according to ECD James McGrath. Badger, who did Dulux "Ghost" (MADC Best of Show and AWARD Silver), Mars "Earth" (ATV Best of Show) and Grosby "Spider" (Cannes Bronze) joined Grey only a few months back after departing Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne to partner Beamish (also her boyfriend). Says Grey ECD Ant Shannon: "Hillary and her boyfriend Rob wanted the opportunity to work together and Grey gave them that. I think this hiring gave us a quick bit of P.R. and sent out a signal that Grey was aggressive, in more than just at a new business level. It’s annoying when other agencies make offers to our staff, but then again I would be more worried if we weren’t rated. We will be employing more creative talent in the future to add to our already strong department, making sure we dominate in Melbourne."As we have seen lately our creative work has begun to get recognised internationally, and I can assure everyone of an exciting ride into the future."

Friday, December 23, 2005

AUSSIE EXPATS COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Quite a few of the top Aussie expats are back in Oz for the Christmas break, including Dave Droga (pictured) and JWT worldwide CD Craig Davis. Former Y&R North America ECD Matt Eastwood is back in Sydney permanently but his future plans are unknown, at least to CB. Malcolm Poynton (ECD of O&M London) has gone back to London today after a week in Sydney and Dave Alberts (chairman of Grey, London) will arrive shortly for a few weeks hols...

CHANT RESIGNS FROM PUBLICIS SINGAPORE

Aussie expat Rodd Chant has resigned from the ECD gig at Publicis Singapore and has arrived back in Australia for the Christmas period. Says Chant: "This is something I have been thinking of ever since David Droga quit as our worldwide creative chief. The reason I joined Publicis was for the opportunity to work in an agency that had someone of the calibre of Droga at the worldwide helm, with his departure I started re-evaluating what I wanted to do and where I want to do it. I am talking to a couple of agencies in the USA and in the Asia-Pacific region but have made no solid decisions and am still open to discussing other opportunities that may arise. I am taking a well earned break, and then I am back in Singapore in a couple of weeks time."

CROCKER TO DDB SAN FRANCISCO

Awarded DDB Sydney writer Andrew Crocker is off to DDB San Francisco, effective Jan 3. Says Crocker: "They're a place that's going places. They won their first bronze Lion this year (I'll be working with one of the guys who won it - Mike Andrews). In the last twelve months they've done some great stuff. DDB North America puts out a reel of the best work coming out of the region. In 1997 San Fran had one thing on it. Since then they haven't had anything on the reel until this year where 16 pieces made the reel. They're producing some cool stuff so it should be a brilliant opportunity to jump on the train."

ROUND GETS NAKED

CANNES WINNER TAKES OUT ROUND THREE OF SIREN AWARDS

The first Australian radio commercial to win a Lion at the Cannes Advertising Festival this year is the overall and single category winner of round three of the 2006 Siren Awards for creative excellence in radio advertising.

“Killed by a Car”, written for the United Nation’s World Environment Day, by Luke Chess (right) and Vince Lagana (left) from Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney, also won a Bronze Lion at Cannes this year.

Judge of round three of the Siren Awards and previous winner, Brendon Guthrie from Grey Worldwide, Melbourne said the writers of the winning advertisement resisted the temptation to say too much and played to the medium’s greatest strength - the ability of radio to involve and surprise.

“It’s a simple truth, simply told. A couple of the ads in this round had great ideas at their heart, but were either under or over cooked during the writing and/or production stages. And that’s one of the reasons why, for us, the World Environment Day ad stood out so strongly,” said Guthrie.

Highly commended for the Single Category was “Jingle” for Sensis, created by Doogie Chapman from Young & Rubicam, Melbourne.

Chapman also won the Campaign Category for the Leyland Brothers Campaign, of which “Jingle” was a part. The campaign involves Mike and Mal Leyland coming out of retirement to ask Australia to stop “asking the Leyland brothers and ask Sensis 1234 instead.”

The winner of the new craft category in Round 3, which recognises the important role of sound engineers in creating good advertisements for radio, was sound engineer, Paul Le Couteur, from Flagstaff Studios for “Berri Asterisk" and "Change Room". Creative Directors were Tony Leishman and Christine Isaac from The Campaign Palace, Melbourne.

Judge of the craft category, and previous winner, Sam Hopgood of Gasinc said both the Berri ads did a great job of immersing listeners in the environment of the commercial.

“Paul used excellent mic technique and equalisation to give the girls in the ad perspective and position. I also thought the background sound effects provided a level of realism without overpowering the voice over,” Mr Hopgood said.

Paul Le Couteur also won Highly Commended in the craft category for his work on “Berri Asterisk – Girls Night.” Creative Directors were again Tony Leishman and Christine Isaac from The Campaign Palace in Melbourne.

The Siren Awards were established to help promote radio advertising and encourage excellence and creativity within the medium. Winners are announced every two months and the annual winner, announced in May next year, will be automatically entered into the inaugural Cannes Radio Lions in June 2006 and receive a free trip for two people to the event.

Entries for Round 4 of the Siren Awards are now open and will be received until January 23, 2006. The next award will be presented for material that has aired between March 1 2005 and January 23, 2006. Entry is free and judges base their decision on creativity, originality and impact.

Commercials can be entered into three categories - Radio Single, Radio Campaign and Craft. A Radio Campaign consists of no less than three different commercials.

To enter the awards or listen to the winning commercials visit the Siren Awards website at www.sirenawards.com.au. A new dedicated Cannes section has also been added to the Siren Awards website, where you can listen to all of the winning advertisements from the 2005 Cannes Radio Lions.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Scott-Wilson bottled by Blood, Talbot wins enormous lunch

Over 300 people from the majority of Aucklands agencies gathered at La Zeppa restaurant on Monday night to hear seven leading Creative Directors recount their most entertaining memories from their time in advertising.

The convivial assembly were treated to tales of incontinence, infidelity, indiscretion, fallen pride, creative gift wrapping, and a barefaced disregard for other motorists, and Andy Blood broke a bottle over Sion Scott-Wilsons head.

Saatchi & Saatchis Toby Talbot was the winner of the $1000 lunch at Bella Restaurant. The audience was regaled charmingly with his tale about a pitch gone wrong at Saatchi & Saatchi London in the early nineties.

The CAANZ Kitchen Table would like to thank all those who came, as well as MC Robbie Magasiva, sponsors Tiger Beer, 3rd Eye Recruitment, Bella Restaurant, Volkswagen and Adidas, Spyglass for the sound and lighting, La Zeppa for having us, and the seven Creative Directors for so graciously coping with what Toby described as the cuntiest thing weve ever had to do.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

CANNES GRAND PRIX WINNER ANDY AMADEO TO PUBLICIS MOJO AUCKLAND

Publicis Mojo, Auckland has scored a coup by attracting hot London art director Andy Amadeo to be based at the agency from early next year for a yet unspecified period of time. Most recently Amadeo has been ECD of Mustoes. From 1999 to 2001 he was CD at Lowe Howard-Spink before a short stint as ECD at CDP. Amadeo has worked at most of London’s hot shops including WCRS, Delaney Fletcher, Chiat\ Day and Simons Palmer. His awards’ haul includes the Print Grand Prix at Cannes in 2000 for Stella Artois. The campaign also won two Gold and three Silvers at Campaign Press plus a Gold at Creative Circle. He also scored a Gold and Silver Lion, a D&AD Silver, Silver at Campaign Press plus Creative Circle Silver for Nike.

PUBLICIS MOJO AUCKLAND LURES CAMPBELL BACK TO NZ

CB hears Kiwi expat Matt Campbell has been lured back to NZ to a dual role at Publicis Mojo Auckland as both art director and Interactive Creative Director. He joins from BBH New York where he was Interactive CD. Campbell is New Zealand born and bred but has been overseas for over a decade gaining invaluable experience in both Tokyo and New York. He has been with BBH for the last six years. He has collected several awards in recent years, most notably a Cannes Bronze Cyber Lion 2005 and a Gold Effie 2004.

Friday, December 16, 2005

Philip (Duster) Andrew (pictured), currently the Deputy Managing Director and Creative Director of Clemenger BBDO Wellington will take over leadership of the Wellington Agency as CEO and Executive Creative Director, effective March next year. This follows the decision to transfer Clems Wellington MD, Peter Biggs to the Managing Director position at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne.He will replace Mark Pearce, who has been MD for the last 7 years (not to mention his 10 years as General Manager). Pearce will take up a new position in the Group - moving to Clemenger Communications in Melbourne as Executive Director in charge of managing and coordinating the diversified marketing services companies. He will also help Biggs settle into his new role at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

NOMINATE FOR THE 2006 AWARD COMMITTEE

AWARD are currently seeking nominations for the 2006 Committee from Gold members.Nomination forms and notice of the AGM, to be held on 15th February 2006, are in the post. So get your thinking caps on now as nomination forms need to be completed and returned to AWARD by 16th January 2006. Make sure the person(s) you nominate are willing and able to take on the responsibility.

If anyone (inluding non AWARD Gold members) has any thoughts on who would be good for the 2006 committee, feel free to say who and why on this post.

BE THE BALL: ADIDAS NEW ZEALAND KICKS MATCH BALL FOR FIFA WORLD CUP 2006 INTO ORBIT

At a launch in Auckland on Saturday [10 December 2005] adidas New Zealand, via agency Whybin TBWA, launched the match ball for FIFA World Cup 2006 by turning a ‘SKY SCREAMER’ into the match ball [+Teamgiest] itself.

Situated at the ‘Sky Screamer’ site in the heart of Auckland City, the 2.5m high ball sits in front of a giant billboard featuring Liverpool Captain and English team member Steven Gerrard, giving the impression the footballer is kicking the adidas match ball.

Designed to create impact and a true ‘Impossible is Nothing’ experience, adidas New Zealand Managing Director Greig Bramwell said the ball will let the people of New Zealand be part of the World’s largest sporting event.

“When the original concepts were developed, we felt it was important for people to experience the +Teamgiest, not just be there to look at. And so ‘Be the Ball’ was born. ‘Be the Ball’ lets people learn, interact and in a unique way enjoy what it is like to be kicked at over 170 Kmph by Steven Gerrard.

“When inside the ball the person will experience a true sound and visual experience.

“The ball was produced by firstly moulding fibreglass around a weather balloon. The ball was then built around an original Sky Screamer pod. We tested and tested and then again tested before being ready to launch.”

Produced by Whybin\TBWA Auckland as part of 180\TBWA alliance, ‘Be the Ball’ was modeled from the actual adidas +Teamgiest ball. The ‘Ball’ and billboard becomes the largest outdoor advertising site in the country.

The launch of the Match Ball follows adidas’ global launch of its campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2006: +10.

“The +10 campaign is purely about team, which is what adidas stands for. It is not about flashy individual demi-gods, it is about yourself plus 10 other team- mates who have a common purpose, working on the insight of ‘Together I am Strong’”, said Bramwell.

“In football, the match ball is the central focus outside of the players. Much emphasis has been placed on the ball and also the Predator boot to enable quality fusion between both products. Combined this fusion will assist the player to perform.

“Football in New Zealand is a key youth development sport. When World Cup fever arrives, New Zealand’s interest as a whole elevates enormously. adidas is hoping to bring the excitement of the WC06 to New Zealand in a unique grassroots fashion.”

New Zealanders can ‘Be the Ball’ from 10-27 December by buying any official adidas FIFA World Cup football or pair of adidas Predator football boots from any Auckland Rebel Sport store.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

BEAM YOUR SPOTS TO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

At the beginning of next year Beam, the wholly owned subsidiary of The Mill in London, will launch its international TV delivery service (the European rollout is happening right now). This means that films generated in Australia and NZ (or anywhere for that matter) will be able to be played out directly to individual TV stations around the world.

This means no more days off production timelines as you have to allow for customs clearance and one interface with all your channels, so you cut out alot of admin.

Originally conceived to supply daily rushes to Ridley Scott on the production of Gladiator, in the five years since start up, Beam has changed the way the agency production business operates, stores, and distributes material, globally. Business growth has increased 100% year on year and the business is now the leader in a multi-billion pound industry (It is estimated that 60% of the global TV production market is employed to adapt and distribute original TV spots to local markets). 90% of networks and 50% of the Fortune 500 clients use them. They have expanded into Japanese, Mandarin (which is due to launch) and are making a lot of headway in the region.

Early next year will also see them start on two new launches of 4 channels to 300 instore sites for Nike as well as for Nokia. Although the archiving, production approvals, casting, facilities are obviously still there, they have moved their product and globally reach on significantly.

SILVERSCREEN CLOSES ITS WELLINGTON OPERATION

Silverscreen Wellington has closed, and its head office has moved to its Auckland facility, with executive producer Julie Elstone and owners Geoff and Laurian Dixon relocating to Auckland along with other key staff. “Our NZ agency clients have been steadily consolidating their own business in Auckland for some time, and it’s sensible to head the operation from the major market,” says ceo David Plummer. The move has no effect on Silverscreen’s stable of local directors and producers, or on its Sydney office.

McCANN NZ SERIOUSLY DOWNSIZES, MOVES IN WITH FCB

FCB New Zealand will be supporting fellow Interpublic Group companies, advertising agency McCann Erickson and media services agency Universal McCann, in the New Zealand market. Effective 1 January 2006, the McCann businesses will relocate their operations to the offices of FCB in Auckland. FCB will provide managerial as well as infrastructural support.

Unlike McCanns, FCB has experienced significant growth in 2005 with a succession of new account wins including Prime Television, Pascoes and Prouds, Ministry of Education, Statistics New Zealand, Angus & Robertson, and NZ Steel. FCB’s operations will remain unaffected by the McCann relocation.

According to FCB New Zealand General Manager, Brian van den Hurk, FCB senior management welcomed the opportunity to work more collegially with the McCann Group, adding that the additional staff (only 10 out of 40 will survive from McCann) will be comfortably housed within FCB’s premises. The Universal McCann team in New Zealand will be led by Media Director Delwyn King.

McCann NZ CD Nic Harman (pictured) asked CBto make it clear that “I was only everemployed on a four-month contract, whichexpires December 22”. He will, however,stay on during the transition period.

MATT + DEREK'S FAREWELL PARTY TONIGHT

Matt Smith and Derek Green, AKA The Hairy Banana, are having their farewell party this afternoon and tonight (Saturday 10th December) at the Slip Inn, Sussex Street, Sydney from 4pm until very late. All their friends and associates are welcome to come along. The pair head to Saatchi & Saatchi, Switzerland where they will be joint CDs with regional responsibility for P&G laundry brands, reporting to Aussie expat Sarah Barclay.

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Lest We Forget

At precisely 2pm Thursday afternoon NZST ( mid-way through thelegendary lunch at Rocco) the New Zealand advertising industry willobserve a minute's silence in memory of all the truly legendary workthat didn't make it this year - due to fear, foolishness or marketingdepartment relocation to Sydney.

We ask all expats living in Australia to synchronise watches and joinus at the appropriate time.

At the conclusion of the minute, bugler Michael Lynch will play theLast Post and bells will ring out across Ponsonby, Parnell andselected pockets of the CBD.

Sunday, December 04, 2005

SIZER DEPARTS NITRO FOR CONSULTANCY WORK

Ian Sizer has recently parted company with Sydney agency Nitro, having been the creative side of the start up in Sydney for the past 18 months. He has already been working on projects for Host, George Patts Y&R and a couple of direct clients. He can be contacted on 0408 496 670.

BRAND, BADJAR, FAME TO JOIN FORCES TO FORM "THE GREAT AUSSIE AGENCY"

The Brand Agency, with offices in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland and Melbourne agency Badjar will acquire equity stakes in Sydney agency Fame Advertising, which will provide the core for a new agency.The name of the new agency will be announced in the New Year and Peter McAuliffe, current managing director of Fame will be the initial executive chairman. McAuliffe was well-known in Perth when he was MD of Ogilvy & Mather in the early 80s, before he headed up the Sydney agency. A search is currently underway to fill the managing director role. Monty Noble (pictured), current creative director of Fame, will assume the role of executive creative director in the new agency.The joint venture is being facilitated by the STW Group, which holds substantial equity in all three agencies. STW CEO Russell Tate said that it presented a great opportunity for The Brand and Badjar to substantially increase their presence and client offering in the Sydney market.“Both agencies now have very substantial national clients who require servicing out of Sydney as well as Melbourne and Perth. Rather than just providing those clients with satellite offices, this gives them direct access to a comprehensive range of communications services in Australia’s biggest market.”